US 11,884,405 B2
Water and ice detection
Geoffrey B Jones, Burton-upon-Trent (GB); Edward J Spalton, Derby (GB); and Steven P Culwick, Derby (GB)
Assigned to ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed by ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/683,819.
Claims priority of application No. 1820301 (GB), filed on Dec. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0189754 A1, Jun. 18, 2020
Int. Cl. B64D 15/22 (2006.01); F01D 17/08 (2006.01); F02C 7/047 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 15/22 (2013.01) [F01D 17/085 (2013.01); F02C 7/047 (2013.01); F05D 2270/303 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for detecting either or both of water or ice crystal ingestion and ice accretion on an aerofoil that is within a gas turbine engine having a principal rotational axis, the apparatus comprising:
a first temperature sensor for determining a first temperature value at a first radial position within a first region of the aerofoil, relative to the principal rotational axis of the gas turbine engine;
a second temperature sensor for determining a second temperature value at a second radial position within a second region of the aerofoil, relative to the principal rotational axis of the gas turbine engine;
a first heater for applying heat to the first region of the aerofoil;
a second heater for applying heat to the second region of the aerofoil; and
a comparator for comparing the first temperature value with the second temperature value, wherein:
the second radial position of the second sensor is radially offset from the first radial position of the first sensor;
either or both of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are positioned aft of a leading edge of the aerofoil;
the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are located between pressure and suction surfaces of the aerofoil so as to be within the aerofoil;
the aerofoil is a stator vane within a compressor of the gas turbine engine;
in use of the gas turbine engine, the ingested water or ice crystal is distributed across only part of the aerofoil; and
one of the first and second radial positions is located in the part of the aerofoil across which the ingested water or ice crystal is distributed and the other of the first and second radial positions is located in a part of the aerofoil across which the ingested water or ice crystal is not distributed.